Kathmandu, June 1 -- This is a pure book. It is the only way to describe it. It's a novel that turns you into a child with its innocence, and untouched, naive mannerisms.

"I am a cat," says haughty Nana, beginning this tale with his tail shaped like the Japanese number seven, borrowing his words from a famous feline novel written by Natsume Soseki more than a hundred years ago. This time, the cat is not concerned with society or culture, like his predecessor. Rather he is intent on taking us along on adventures he takes with his master Satoru, seated proudly on the front seat of a silver van.

A stray cat, Nana is adopted by gentle Satoru, and the two enjoy a companionable, if quiet, relationship. Nana can often be cranky, but he is inte...